Minimum inhibitory concentration values and problematic disk break points of tigecycline against vancomycin and/or high-level aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci

Background: Tigecycline is a new, semisynthetic glycylcycline. It is active against important multidrug resistant pathogens.Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of multidrug-resistant enterococci to tigecycline, and to test the correlation between the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion methods.Materials and methods: The antimicrobial sensitivity of 108 multidrug-resistant isolates, which included 52 vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and 56 high-level aminoglycoside-resistant (HLAR) enterococci, was tested by the E test, broth microdilution test and disk diffusion methods.Results: All of the isolates were sensitive to tigecycline, as determined by the E test and broth microdilution test. The MIC 90 value (0.19 lg/mL) of tigecycline for HLAR enterococci was higher than that for VRE (0.094 lg/mL). When results were evaluated according to species, the MIC values of tigecycline for Enterococcus faecalis were higher than those for the other species. Eleven (10.1%) isolates produced false resistance results (zone diameter 615 mm) by the disk diffusion method. These cases were classified as major errors. Eight (7.4%) isolates had intermediate sensitivity (sensitivity zone of 16 or 17 mm), which were classified as minor errors. The major and minor error percentages of HLAR enterococci (14.2% major, 10.7% minor error) were higher than those of VRE (5.7% major, 3.8% minor error). These results indicate that tigecycline is effective against multidrug-resistant enterococci. The sensitivity of multidrug-resistant enterococci to tigecycline should be investigated by MIC methods. The disk diffusion method causes major errors, especially for HLAR enterococci

Natural radioactivity measurements in soil samples of Central Kutahya (Turkey)

Measurement of the natural radioactivity of surface soils at 20 locations in central Kutahya has been made using gamma ray spectroscopy. Natural gamma ray radioactivity of the terrestrial nuclides in soil samples and the absorbed gamma ray dose rates of these radionuclides in the air have been calculated throughout different areas of central Kutahya. The average annual effective dose equivalent for a person living in central Kutahya was found to be similar to 57 mu Sv

Assessment of radiation doses from natural radioactivity measurements in the spa centres of Kütahya Province, Turkey

© 2022, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary.Kütahya is one of the provinces with many well-known spas in Turkey. Radionuclide levels in the thermal waters of these spas have not been measured before. Therefore, the radon and radium concentrations in thermal waters collected from Kütahya spas were measured using the collector chamber method. In addition, the indoor radon concentrations of spas were determined using LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors. The annual effective doses from the inhalation and ingestion of radon and radium concentrations have been calculated. The sampling points' physical and chemical properties were also measured during the survey

Minimum inhibitory concentration values and problematic disk break points of tigecycline against vancomycin and/or high-level aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci

Dolapci, Istar/0000-0002-6443-4612WOS: 000390144800004Background: Tigecycline is a new, semisynthetic glycylcycline. It is active against important multidrug resistant pathogens. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of multidrug-resistant enterococci to tigecycline, and to test the correlation between the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion methods. Materials and methods: The antimicrobial sensitivity of 108 multidrug-resistant isolates, which included 52 vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and 56 high-level aminoglycoside-resistant (HLAR) enterococci, was tested by the E test, broth microdilution test and disk diffusion methods. Results: All of the isolates were sensitive to tigecycline, as determined by the E test and broth microdilution test. The MIC 90 value (0.19 mu g/mL) of tigecycline for HLAR enterococci was higher than that for VRE (0.094 mu g/mL). When results were evaluated according to species, the MIC values of tigecycline for Enterococcus faecalis were higher than those for the other species. Eleven (10.1%) isolates produced false resistance results (zone diameter 615 mm) by the disk diffusion method. These cases were classified as major errors. Eight (7.4%) isolates had intermediate sensitivity (sensitivity zone of 16 or 17 mm), which were classified as minor errors. The major and minor error percentages of HLAR enterococci (14.2% major, 10.7% minor error) were higher than those of VRE (5.7% major, 3.8% minor error). These results indicate that tigecycline is effective against multidrug-resistant enterococci. The sensitivity of multidrug-resistant enterococci to tigecycline should be investigated by MIC methods. The disk diffusion method causes major errors, especially for HLAR enterococci. (C) 2015 The Authors. Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.Kirikkale University Scientific Research UnitKirikkale UniversityThis study was supported by Kirikkale University Scientific Research Unit

Determination of radon and radium concentrations in drinking water samples around the city of Kutahya

WOS: 000322511500012PubMed ID: 23417055The concentration of radium and radon has been determined in drinking water samples collected from various locations of Kutahya city, Turkey. The water samples are taken from public water sources and tap water, with the collector chamber method used to measure the radon and radium concentration. The radon concentration ranges between 0.1 and 48.61.7 Bq l(1), while the radium concentration varies from a minimum detectable activity of 0.020.70.2 Bq l(1) in Kutahya city. In addition to the radon and radium levels, parameters such as pH, conductivity and temperature of the water, humidity, pressure, elevation and the coordinates of the sampling points have also been measured and recorded. The annual effective dose from radon and radium due to typical water usage has been calculated. The resulting contribution to the annual effective dose due to radon ingestion varies between 0.3 and 124.2 Sv y(1); the contribution to the annual effective dose due to radium ingestion varies between 0 and 143.3 Sv y(1); the dose contribution to the stomach due to radon ingestion varies between 0.03 and 14.9 Sv y(1). The dose contribution due to radon inhalation ranges between 0.3 and 122.5 Sv y(1), assuming a typical transfer of radon in water to the air. For the overwhelming majority of the Kutahya population, it is determined that the average radiation exposure from drinking water is less than 73.6 Sv y(1).Dumlupinar UniversityDumlupinar University [2008-16]This work was supported by Dumlupinar University Scientific Research Project [2008-16]

Determination of radon and radium concentrations in drinking water samples around the city of Kutahya

The concentration of radium and radon has been determined in drinking water samples collected from various locations of Kutahya city, Turkey. The water samples are taken from public water sources and tap water, with the collector chamber method used to measure the radon and radium concentration. The radon concentration ranges between 0.1 and 48.61.7 Bq l(1), while the radium concentration varies from a minimum detectable activity of 0.020.70.2 Bq l(1) in Kutahya city. In addition to the radon and radium levels, parameters such as pH, conductivity and temperature of the water, humidity, pressure, elevation and the coordinates of the sampling points have also been measured and recorded. The annual effective dose from radon and radium due to typical water usage has been calculated. The resulting contribution to the annual effective dose due to radon ingestion varies between 0.3 and 124.2 Sv y(1); the contribution to the annual effective dose due to radium ingestion varies between 0 and 143.3 Sv y(1); the dose contribution to the stomach due to radon ingestion varies between 0.03 and 14.9 Sv y(1). The dose contribution due to radon inhalation ranges between 0.3 and 122.5 Sv y(1), assuming a typical transfer of radon in water to the air. For the overwhelming majority of the Kutahya population, it is determined that the average radiation exposure from drinking water is less than 73.6 Sv y(1)

A Cost-Effective Microwave Ion Source Test Stand

Turkish Accelerator Center (TAC) Proton Accelerator Facility (PAF) is a project proposal that aims to build a megawatt (MW) power proton accelerator in Turkey. The proton source of this project was chosen as a microwave discharge ion source due to its long life time, its high current, and its lower maintenance requirements when compared with other ion source types. A microwave discharge ion source test stand was built to gain experience for TAC PAF and for similar projects requiring high beam current in Turkey. A magnetron with 2.45-GHz frequency, 50-Hz repetition rate, and 150-W fixed power was used to create the hydrogen plasma. Two different electrode systems were experimented: the first design consists of 2-mm radius plasma electrode that extracts beam currents up to 0.75 mA and the second design consists of 4-mm radius plasma electrode that extracts beam currents up to 5.2 mA

Assessment of Natural and Anthropogenic Radioactivity of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara

In this study, the activity concentrations of naturally occurring U-238, Th-232 and K-40 and anthropogenic Cs-137 radionuclides were measured for 56 soil and beach sand samples collected from the Princes' Islands (Istanbul) in the Sea of Marmara, using a gamma-ray spectrometer. In each case, the outdoor gamma-ray dose rates in air were measured at the coordinates where the samples were collected, using a portable gamma-ray detector. In addition, the Po-210 specific activity concentrations were measured for 13 different types of fish and 3 black mussel samples that are consumed in the region, using an alpha spectrometer. The mean activity concentrations of natural U-238, Th-232 and K-40 and artificial Cs-137 radionuclides were calculated to be 33.8 +/- 0.5 Bq kg(-1), 19.3 +/- 0.3 Bq kg(-1), 429.5 +/- 4.5 Bq kg(-1) and 8.9 +/- 0.1 Bq kg(-1), respectively, in the soil and beach sand samples. Activity concentration contour maps of the Princes' Islands (Istanbul) were constructed. The mean annual effective dose values for natural and artificial radioactive nuclide activity concentrations were determined to be 55.4 mu Sv y(-1) and 1.2 mu Sv y(-1), respectively. The average outdoor gamma-ray dose rate measured in the air was 0.68 mSv y(-1). The mean activity concentrations of Po-210 in the fish and mussel samples were measured to be 16.2 +/- 1.9 Bq kg(-1) and 516.1 +/- 25.8 Bq kg(-1). The average annual effective ingestion doses due to Po-210 from the consumption of these seafoods were calculated to be 106.9 mu Sv y(-1) and 619.4 mu Sv y(-1), respectively. The results of this study were compared with the limits proposed by UNSCEAR, ICRP and the values obtained in other similar studies worldwide

Assessment of natural radioactivity level of soil and water in the region of corlu (Turkey)

The activity concentrations of Rn-222 with an AlphaGUARD system in well having different depths and in natural spring waters were measured to assess the natural radioactivity level of the corlu region. The measured concentrations varied from 22.04 to 63.92 Bq L-1 for 6 well water samples, 15.38-24.33 Bq L-1 for 6 spring water samples. The activity concentrations from U-238, Th-232 and K-40 in 11 soil samples collected from the same region were also determined and the outdoor gamma dose rates at 1 m above the surface at the same sampling points were measured. The results obtained in this study lie within safe limits recommended by WHO and UNSCEAR with the exception of the mean specific activity of K-40 radionuclide

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in assisted reproductive technology treatment does not increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies

The aim of the study is to compare the perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment in which granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was used with those in which it was not. In this retrospective study, the clinical data of 122 dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies were reviewed. Pregnancies were divided into two groups, G-CSF-treated and non-G-CSF treated. Maternal age, gestational week at birth, oligohydramnios, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, first-trimester bleeding, gestational diabetes, rupture of membrane, foetal congenital anomalies, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, birth weight (BW), small for gestational age, BW discordance, Apgar score and placental weight were compared between the groups.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administrations increase pregnancy outcomes and do not have a negative effect on perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies. What the results of this study add? This study showed that the perinatal outcome of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies conceived after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment was similar in the GSF administrated and non-GSF administrated groups. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Using G-CSF to increase the success of ART does not seem to have an adverse outcome in the dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies